Collin Klein, his mysterious injury status moot by kickoff, came and he played as he always does—with toughness, discipline and a determination to carry these Wildcats to the promise land.

As much as any team out there, Kansas State played as if it is forcing pollsters to put this team up top; daring them not to, even.

"We still have a lot of things to accomplish. So as far as the rankings, we don't pay too much attention to that, because we obviously have a lot of work to do," defensive back Jarard Milo said. "We've just got to keep working and doing what we're doing as K-State."

Of all the teams best positioned to take advantage of Alabama’s fall at the hands of Texas A&M, it is K-State.

Klein has been unstoppable, and was solid again on Saturday, passing for 145 yards and rushing for another 50.

The Wildcats scored 23 points before TCU scored any, with the Horned Frogs’ field goal and touchdown coming in the final 7:41 of the game.

TCU moved the ball but didn’t score. It delivered hard hits, but didn’t really slow Bill Snyder’s bunch. It gave its best blow and Kansas State remained sturdy in victory.

Still, TCU has a relentless offensive machine ahead at Baylor, and the regular-season finale against Texas on Dec. 1.